Shake and Stir's Wuthering Heights at Riverside Parramatta

Oh dear. Sorry but I was most disappointed. Here's what I said for Sydney Arts Guide http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/shake-and-stir-presents-wuthering-heights-riverside-theatre-parramatta/ Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in this production. Individually various elements were great but the production was quite uneven. There was no real spark or sense of passion, the fight scenes were almost farcical, it isn’t sure of the time period in which it was set and there was an over reliance on exciting theatrical effects and the use of technology though it has to be said that the finale with the rain and snow was magnificent. This production is based on the much loved Bronte novel where the mysterious, scruffy Heathcliff captures the heart of the well to do Catherine. The lives of two families, the Earnshaws and Lintons interweave over two generations at extremes of love and hate. The young Heathcliff develops a lifelong passionate bond with Cathy Earnshaw and an instinctive dislike of her brother Hindley. Once young adults, Heathcliff and Cathy’s relationship deepens to the point of dangerous obsession, until one day, Cathy marries another man. Overcome with jealousy, Heathcliff flees from the Heights only to return, years later, ready to exact revenge on those he believed thwarted his one chance at happiness. The set has billowing grey curtains that also act as projection screens,with dramatic rolling clouds, cracks of thunder, lightning flashes etc. At either side there are hidden alcoves with books, tea cups, vases, and a fireplace. Slammable doors, a piano and a bed that slides in/out are also included. The cast acts as stagehands, carrying in or out chairs, tables as scene changes are made. Costumes in a confusing mix range from Victorian black for Nellie Dean to sleeveless contemporary evening gowns for Cathy and Isabella, or a beautifully embroidered lace nightie/dress ( most unsuitable for roaming about the moors). For the men the garb ranged from a mostly semi- nineteenth century look to contemporary jeans and jumpers. In the small cast some actors perform multiple roles. Heathcliff is meant to be brooding Byronic and malevolent, transforming himself from feral scruffy guttersnipe to older, eloquent wealthy villain. Ross Balbuziente overall is quite impressive in his thirst for revenge though he almost descends to a pantomime villain . Heathcliff has to dominate the other characters with his sheer presence and barely controlled passion. Balbuziente doesn’t have this presence. As young Catherine Linton, Gemma Willing is sweetly charming and beautiful. Willing also played her mother, Catherine Earnshaw. This portrayal didn’t work. Catherine came across as brattish , hoydenish and prone to ridiculous tantrums which provoked laughter rather than pity from the audience. While both Catherine and Heathcliff have impassioned speeches about their love for each other, I didn’t feel any great chemistry between the two players. As the narrator Nelly Dean, Linden Wilkinson gives a finely nuanced performance; a mix of tension ,guilt and grief. She delivers her lines with great flair and polish, sometimes making witty observations. Tim Dashwood as Edgar Linton, with a blonde very short hairdo and in a pale blue suit, is mostly cold and sneering but tender in his love for his daughter. Nelle Lee was excellent in her various roles, elegant as Frances Earnshaw and Isabella Linton and almost unrecognizable, delightfully boyish as the rather fragile sniveling Linton Heathcliff. As Hindley and then Hareton Earnshaw, Nick Skubij was refined, then gruff and blustery. Catherine’s brother Hindley is shown as a callous brute and later becomes a very convincing drunken sod before dying of consumption. Passionate Wuthering Heights affectionnados need to be aware that this production does not stick faithfully to the book all the time with some characters deleted, updated dialogue and strong language . Running time – 2 hours 30 mins (approx.) including interval. Shake and Stir’s production of WUTEHRING HEIGHTS played the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta on the 22nd and 23rd March.